The 2009 MAZDA6 is shaking up the midsize sedan class with new thinking, better ideas and brilliant engineering. The MAZDA6 is 100 percent new, but that good old zoom-zoom is still in there!
The raves started as soon as the reviewers got their hands on the 2009 MAZDA6. "Bigger, stronger and the most fun you can have in a family sedan," said Edmunds.com in their Inside Line review. "Combine the back road prowess, however, with gorgeous styling, high quality materials and loads of interior and trunk space and suddenly you have a zoom-zoom winner," exclaimed Automobile magazine after their first drive. "Without question, the four-cylinder MAZDA6 is the handling champ in the segment," concluded Automobile. Popular Mechanics calls it, "The 2009 MAZDA6 Zoom-Zoomin' Midsize Market Shaker!"
It’s ready to compete against other midsize sedans. It’s safe to say that the 2009 MAZDA6 will come out on top. Larger, more powerful, safer and more efficient, the 6 is taking Mazda showrooms – and the road – by storm.
The 2009 MAZDA6 concentrates on being the best four-door sedan in the midsize market. There are two models, “s” and “i,” each with three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
On the outside, the MAZDA6 boasts a clean design with curvaceous and elegant body panels. The 6’s pronounced fender flares closely mimic both the CX-7 and CX-9 crossover vehicles with available twin sculpted exhaust diffusers (on V6 models). Balancing strength and grace, it sits on a wheelbase of 109.8 inches, measuring 194.5 inches long, 57.9 inches high and 72.4 inches wide.
Available on the Touring and Grand Touring trims is the Moonroof & Bose Package, which features a 10-speaker Bose sound system with amplified subwoofer, six-CD/MP3 changer, power moonroof with one touch global closure and sunshade and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Also offered for these trims is the Convenience Package with dual-zone air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, xenon headlights, cloth and leather-trimmed seats, welcome mode illumination, ground illumination, blind spot monitoring system (BSM), auto on/off headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers. An optional navigation system is available on the Grand Touring trim.
Improving driver comfort and convenience was important to Mazda designers, and they succeeded with Mazda’s new Cross Functional Network (CF-Net). The CF-Net provides integrated controls for navigation, air conditioning, audio and driving information on the steering wheel, and a centralized display is at the top of the instrument panel within the driver’s sight. CF-Net minimizes driver distraction and increases functionality by keeping the control at the driver’s fingertips. "The interior is artful and tidily crafted—basically what we’ve come to expect from this inventive car company," observed Popular Mechanics.
Under the hood, the i models feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that churns out 170 hp and 167 lb/ft of torque with your choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with overdrive. The s models come with a powerful 3.7-liter V6 with VVT that produces 272 hp and 269 lb/ft of torque, and a six-speed automatic with overdrive. MAZDA6 i models get an estimated 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the automatic. The s model with an automatic gets 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
"We certainly expected more power—and got it. Where the 2.5-liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272 hp V6 is downright intoxicating. Coupled only to a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the MAZDA6 i models demonstrated great flexibility with a serious high-end punch," reported Popular Mechanics. "The MAZDA6 is a hoot to drive, unlike its less sporty foes in the marketplace."
"There's plenty of midrange torque and a smooth, refined feel near the 6,200-rpm redline. …the 2.5 is plenty of motor for day-to-day driving," pointed out Edmunds.com.
As for handling, Car and Driver summed it up nicely. "Steering is light and alive, yet it grooves in on straight-ahead when the path calls for it. Slack has been zeroed out of brake-pedal motion. Ride is well controlled without being harsh, and noises, both road and wind, are dialed way back. Bottom line: The MAZDA6 was never like this. Think MAZDA7."
Thanks to a strong Triple-H body shell that offers a high-rigidity body design, the MAZDA6 will offer exceptional crash-safety performance by joining the front chassis members of the perimeter frame and reinforcing the cabin with high-tensile steel. The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) shines lights into corners, illuminating the path of the vehicle, and ultrasonic parking sensors beep to assist low-speed maneuvering. In the event of a collision, up to six interior airbags and active headrests (that can move forward in a rear-end collision) protect occupants.
"In a class currently dominated by blasé styling, the MAZDA6 has always been a breath of fresh air. Now with all of these improvements, this sedan will give the others a run for their money. Going bigger and heavier didn’t affect this car’s zip or nimble driving characteristics one bit. It remains closer to a sport sedan than any of its competitors," concluded Popular Mechanics.
The 2009 MAZDA6 begins at an MSRP of $19,320. Ready to zoom-zoom? The 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 is dressed to impress and ready to take on the roads. Our question is, can you handle it?
